Detroit Red Wings: The roster move that unfortunately will never happen

The Detroit Red Wings should consider placing Jonathan Ericsson on waivers once he returns from his injury. He “could” be back as early as Wednesday when the Wings host the Bruins.

Ken Holland and the Detroit Red Wings remain oh so loyal to some older veteran players. Jonathan Ericsson is no exception. Ericsson is currently injured but when he is healthy Jeff Blashill and company love to roll him out 19 or so minutes a night.

This is Jonathan Ericsson we are talking about here. At best and I mean on his absolute best day he is the 6th defenceman. When he is ready to go who are they going to decide to sit? Trust me they will insert big E into the lineup if he’s healthy. They’ve proved to trust Jon in the past and early on this season was no different.

I assume Nick Jensen would be the odd man out. Jensen is currently paired with Danny DeKesyer. Ericsson has spent a lot of time playing with Danny in the past, that pair would be Blashill’s first choice over the boards on the penalty kill.

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Ericsson has always been a physical specimen. Although he has a lot of size he has never found out how to use it correctly. He is leary to deliver any bone-chilling hits; he doesn’t do a great job pinning the opposition down below the goal line. He doesn’t block shots at the rate other defenders his size across the league. In a “new aged” NHL he lacks any type of necessary speed. He is often beat wide by speedy wingers lugging the puck into the Detroit Red Wings zone. He is a liability in his own end; he struggles to make a decisive defensive zone exit passes. He does not have the ability to skate himself out of danger.

I think of Brenden Smith, he was a good teammate, always willing to step up for his guys but he was a turnover machine in his own zone. I see a lot of similarities with Ericsson. He is the definition of a “defensive” defenseman but struggles to be that. He lacks any type of offensive ability. Including his 6 games this season he has recorded a total of 5 goals and 23 points over his last 138 games.

The Anaheim Ducks recently placed Luke Schenn on waivers. I think the Detroit Red Wings should consider a similar move with Ericsson. The Wings don’t exactly need the cap relief at this point, but the move would free up 4.25 million (retroactive) if he were to be claimed (he won’t). If he cleared it would immediately free up 1.025 million as a “buried” contract and he would be eligible to play with the Griffins.

The Montreal Canadians recently placed Tomas Plekanec on waivers as well. Plekanec appeared in 3 games this season recording a goal. He played in parts of 15 seasons with the Canadians. The only time he was not a member of the Habs was at the end of last season when they dealt him to the Toronto Maple Leafs as a rental. He signed back with Montreal this offseason, only to be waived after three appearances.

If these clubs can place certain veteran players on waivers, the Wings should also consider making a move. The Wings currently have Luke Witkowski sitting in the press box as the seventh defender. Filip Hronek is close to being an NHL defenseman. Joe Hicketts and Libor Sulak proved that they are able to fill in again if a string of injuries happens to occur.

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I am confident Ericsson would go unclaimed, and if things got really thin in Detroit and he agreed to report to Grand Rapids, he could always be recalled. It’s time to trim some of the fat off of a primarily old group of defenders. The team is in the midst of a rebuild, do it right.

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